Linda Lingle’s announcement is disappointing, but predictable. After all, Lingle has pledged her allegiance to the Washington Republicans who view her election as their ticket to a GOP-controlled Senate and to accomplishing their top priority: repealing the Affordable Care Act.

As you and I know, millions of Americans benefit from the historic reforms this legislation has and will continue to put in place.

If you have a pre-existing condition, you’re covered. If you become seriously ill, your insurance company can’t impose limits on your benefits. If you’re a woman, you won’t see higher premiums because of your gender. If you’re under 26, you can stay on your parents’ health plans. If you’re on Medicare, you will continue to pay less for your prescription drugs and have access to preventative health care. And if you don’t have coverage, you can find it, affordably.

Linda Lingle and her Republican allies really want to take all that progress away and return to the broken status quo. Show them that that is unacceptable.

I am proud to have worked with President Obama to expand access to affordable health care coverage while protecting Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act — and I will be proud to continue to make sure everyone has access to affordable, quality health care when I’m in the Senate.